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46521
June 27th, 2015 22:00
Screencast of replacing broadcom with intel?
Would anyone be willing to upload a screencast of replacing the broadcom with the intel wireless? I understand this is a very simple task, but I have never opened a laptop in my life so it would really help to see a video of this.
If you no longer have the broadcom, even just opening it up, showing the intel wireless, removing the intel wireless, and putting the intel wireless back in, would be incredibly helpful.
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Andrew Bradley
20 Posts
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June 28th, 2015 04:00
It's not something that should be undertaken lightly. You have to make sure you are earthed properly before opening up a laptop, and (as stated elsewhere) understand that this probably voids your warranty on a very expensive piece of hardware.
relevant
161 Posts
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June 28th, 2015 07:00
I appreciate the warning Andrew and do plan to take this very seriously. plan on taking the proper precautions and have already started reading up on this. The screencast will help me piece together more information.
cloph
74 Posts
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June 28th, 2015 09:00
No screencast, but teardown with pictures. Makes it easy to locate the wifi module..
Take necessary precautions and be aware of effects on warranty, etc.
www.ifixit.com/.../36157
eugene55
31 Posts
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June 29th, 2015 00:00
A youtube movie would be certainly helpful.
I can share my experience. I read the Dell Service Manual and got the tools recommended. The hardest thing was to unsnap the lid, after the screws have been removed. Several plastic scribes would be helpful. One should move a scribe at an angle, that it does not suddenly stab inside. At the front of the laptop there is a thin flat cable close to the edge - one should be careful there. I do not see why one would need to remove the battery (suggested by the Manual). Just disconnecting it should be enough. I used a thin hard plastic wedge to get the connector loose, then used pincers. The wifi card is not obstructed. Two antenna wires are attached using small connectors which snap into proper position if you press them to the board. On the Intel card I have, both connectors are located on the right side, while on the Broadcom card one is at the left side. The white wire (Main) goes to the left connector. There is a metal bracket fixing the card - look at it before removing (I suppose it can be attached in two ways). In my case, I am not sure that the bracket does not shorten the antenna connectors. Still, the wifi seems to work fine.
relevant
161 Posts
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June 29th, 2015 02:00
Thanks a lot for this eugene! If I combine your great walkthrough with a video, I think I'll be confident enough to carry it out.
Andrew Bradley
20 Posts
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June 29th, 2015 03:00
There is a video on YouTube of how to switch the WiFi card in an XPS13. It's a previous generation though, so no guarantees. www.youtube.com/watch
relevant
161 Posts
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June 29th, 2015 04:00
Ah thank you Andrew. Can anyone confirm that it is the same for the new generation XPS 13?
eugene55
31 Posts
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June 29th, 2015 15:00
youtube:
It looks a bit different from the xps 13 2015. The cover/lid was easily lifted while in the new model it is snapped in around the perimeter and has to be gradually unsnapped. There was no bracket fixing the wifi card. It seems the older model was easier to handle.
ifixit:
This is very relevant